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The latest numbers from the BART Police Department show as enforcement activity has increased, the number of trains impacted by unwanted behavior has declined. In the first six months of this year, BART PD reported 10,359 enforcement contacts, which is nearly double from the 5,490 enforcement contacts reported for the first half of 2023. The increase in activity comes as BART continues to implement its Safe and Clean Plan. A focal point of the plan has been a major boost in BART PD’s visible safety presence on trains and in stations supported by devoting additional resources to hire and retain more officers.

As enforcement contacts have increased, the number of trains impacted by unwanted activity has been trending downward since mid-2023. The number of BART PD incidents causing delays has dropped from a high of 374 in May 2023 to 255 in August (see chart below).

“Our presence deters crime and allows us to address problems before they turn into incidents that cause train delays,” said BART Police Chief Kevin Franklin. “I think this is very encouraging because it shows that our presence is a positive thing for on-time service and the safe and clean customer experience.”

More riders have been telling BART they notice the difference in safety since implementation of the new deployment strategy that emphasizes presence on trains and in stations. The last four consecutive quarters have been the first in BART’s history where the percentage of riders who reported seeing BART PD on their trips exceeded the department’s official goal of 12%. In the most recent quarter (Q4 2024), more than 19% of riders reported seeing BART PD’s safety presence.

BART PD is continuing to recruit more officers to boost its visible safety presence to bring more safety gains to our riders. The department currently has 17 openings for sworn officers. BART PD offers competitive pay including a hiring bonus of $15,000 for lateral transfers and academy graduates. To learn more, go to JoinBARTPD.com.

Click here to sign up for the One Book One BART mailing list. 

>>> Fine art-quality giclee prints of the poster paintings are now available on Railgoods.com. Purchase these beautiful 11" by 14" artworks here. Limited quantities available.  <<<

Three original watercolor paintings by celebrated poet-artist-naturalist Obi Kaufmann are now enlivening BART stations by taking over ad spaces across the system. The artworks are being released in tandem with the launch of the spring 2025 One Book One BART book club. The club’s official selection is Bay Area Wildlife: An Irreverent Guide by Jeff Miller, which was illustrated by Kaufmann.  

The unveiling of Kaufmann’s artworks marks the relaunch of BART’s Poster Art Program. The goal of the program, which has featured original works by Miwako Nishizawa, Monico Chavez, Josh Ellingson, and Owen Smith, is to enhance the physical environment of BART stations and celebrate the wealth of artistic talent in the Bay Area. The program is a joint effort between BART Communications, BART Marketing, and the BART Art Program.  

Kaufmann’s original paintings feature some of the local species found in the natural and urban spaces accessible by transit, including San Francisco, Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge, and Mount Diablo. Each panel is themed around a different group of wildlife: “Big, beautiful birds of the Bay Area,” “Our wildlife neighbors of the Bay Area,” and “Endangered species of the Bay Area.” 

“Transportation agencies throughout the United States and internationally have seen the importance to community and customers in bringing art and culture into transit spaces,” said BART Chief Communications Officer Alicia Trost. "Bringing art to our system also builds a sense of safety and belonging, as we have repeatedly heard from our Not One More Girl initiative outreach."

“Artworks enhance the travel experience with education, joy, information about, and celebration of a particular location and its unique characteristics," added BART Art Program Manager Jennifer Easton. "Obi’s artwork demonstrates his deep appreciation and passion for our neighbors in the wild, reminding us that reducing our environmental impact by using transit can help preserve their critical environments.” 

On Saturday, May 3, from noon to approx. 1pm, Kaufmann will partner with BART to lead a first-of-its-kind BART Train Expedition. The free, family-friendly ride on an in-service passenger train will take us on a journey through the East Bay’s mosaicked, ecological landscape – all through the windows of a Yellow Line train. During the ride, Kaufmann will transport us through “deep time” as he tells stories about the area’s ecosystems, water, fire, infrastructure, volcanic history, trees, and more. RSVP here and scroll down to learn about other upcoming One Book One BART events. 

Kaufmann’s original BART paintings will be available for purchase as 11x14 art prints, coming soon to BART’s merchandise store Railgoods. Railgoods will also sell unique “Animals by BART” t-shirts featuring the fauna displayed in Kaufmann’s paintings. Sign up for the mailing list at the link above and follow BART on social media to be alerted to the release of the prints and t-shirts. 

Oakland-based Kaufmann is known for his illustrated books on ecology and geography, including the award-winning California Field Atlas and his latest, The State of Fire: Why California Burns. Kaufmann brings his signature style – soft watercolor illustrations and handwritten titles that mimic field guides of yore – to the paintings he created for BART.  

"Growing up in the Bay Area as a young naturalist, I relied on BART to get me to the parks, open spaces, and wild landscapes that inspired me to become the writer and artist I am today,” Kaufmann said. “So many decades later, I am happy to report that those same places are accessible, and teaming up with BART to celebrate the Bay Area's rich wildlife legacy is a dream come true."  

In addition to celebrating ecology, Kaufmann’s works are an urgent reminder that the Bay Area is home to many at-risk wildlife populations. Sustainability is one of BART’s core values, and it has been since our system was founded. As highlighted in our Transit Saves campaign, if it weren’t for BART, we’d have to plant a forest the size of San Francisco every two years to offset the CO2 that would be generated from increased vehicle emissions. The people of the Bay Area need BART, and so do the plants and animals that reside here.  

“We want people to think of our stations not solely as liminal spaces to mindlessly pass through, but places where you can experience art, culture, and even a sense wonder,” said BART Principal Marketing Representative Michelle Robertson, who spearheaded the relaunch Poster Art Program project. “Some of my fondest transit memories involve riding BART to regional green spaces, and I’m grateful to Obi for giving all of us a reason to celebrate transit and the wealth of experiences it takes us to." 

The artworks also serve as inspiration and encouragement for people to use public transit to get outside! To get going on your next outdoor adventure, visit bartable.bart.gov/outdoors and discover a wealth of hikes, bike rides, and outdoor itineraries by BART stations.  

One Book One BART returns with a natural history theme 

In keeping with the natural history theme, BART is excited to announce the return of One Book One BART. The club is a novel strategy for rider and employee engagement that invites members of the public to read the same book at the same time and participate in themed events in BART trains and stations. This will be the third iteration of One Book One BART, which began in 2022 with Hua Hsu’s Stay True.  

This year’s selection is Bay Area Wildlife: An Irreverent Guide (Heyday Books) by conservationist Jeff Miller, with illustrations by Obi Kaufmann. Bay Area Wildlife takes an educational and highly entertaining approach to the region’s local fauna, “revealing why each of these creatures matters, as well as the threats that loom over our region’s incredible biodiversity.” 

The book will serve as a jumping off point for a series of outdoor excursions by BART stations and on trains. Stay up to date by visiting bart.gov/bookclub and signing up for the email list at the top of the page. 

One Book One BART events 

All events are free to attend, but an RSVP is required. 

Guided Nature Walk with Author Jeff Miller and Pals 

When: Saturday, April 19 

• The first walk will leave the station at 9am. The walk from 19th to the Rotary Center will take approx. 45 - 60 minutes. RSVP for the first walk (9am) on Eventbrite here

• The second walk will leave the station at 11am. The walk from 19th St. to the Rotary Center will take approx. 45 - 60 minutes. RSVP for the second walk (11am) on Eventbrite here 

Where: 19th St/Oakland Station to the Rotary Nature Center 

Itinerary subject to change. 

Meet Bay Area Wildlife author Jeff Miller as he and some conservationist colleagues and local naturalists take us on a ~1.4-mile guided nature walk of Lake Merritt that will begin at 19th St. Station in Downtown Oakland.  

Expect to see lots of water birds and an assortment of herons and egrets, maybe even some fish! The walk will end in the grassy area adjacent to the Rotary Nature Center on the lake, where participants will have the opportunity to rendezvous with and learn from local environmental organizations.

Wear comfy walking shoes, fill up your water bottle, and bring whatever else you may need for the walk. And don’t forget your copy of Bay Area Wildlife – Jeff will be signing books.  

Bike Ride and Birdwatching 

When: Saturday, April 26

• Early short ride - Departs North Berkeley Station at 7:45am. The ride is approx. 8 miles roundtrip and will end at North Berkeley Station at approx. 9:45am. RSVP for the 7:45am short ride on Eventbrite.
• Long late ride - Departs North Berkeley Station at 10am. The ride is approx. 15 miles roundtrip and will end back at North Berkeley at approx. 1pm. RSVP for the 10am long ride on Eventbrite

Where: North Berkeley Station 

Itinerary subject to change. 

Heath Maddox, BART Manager of Bicycle and Micromobility Access Programs, and local birdwatchers will host two bike rides -- a shorter one for early birds and a later one for those looking for a long ride -- with birdwatching stops along the way. The ride will start and end at North Berkeley Station.

In addition to the expertise of local birdwatchers, we’ll have a digital guide featuring info on birds we might spot on the ride. Find the short 7:45am route here and the long 10am route here.

Bring your bike, helmet, and binoculars – we’ll have extras on hand to lend. You should also bring anything you need to be self-sufficient and keep your bike rolling (spare tube, patch kit, pump, etc.). If you do not have a bike, you can rent one from the Bay Wheels hub at North Berkeley Station.

BART Train Expedition with Obi Kaufmann 

When: Saturday, May 3, noon to approx. 1pm 

Where: Pleasant Hill/City Centre Station to 12th St/Oakland Station 

RSVP on Eventbrite

"Bay Area Wildlife" illustrator and acclaimed poet-naturalist Obi Kaufmann takes the public on a first-of-its-kind BART Train Expedition! The free, family-friendly ride on an in-service passenger train will take us on a journey through the East Bay’s mosaicked, ecological landscape – all through the windows of a Yellow Line train. During the ride, Kaufmann will transport us through “deep time” as he tells stories about the area’s ecosystems, water, fire, infrastructure, volcanic history, trees, and more.  

At the end of the approx. 30-minute ride, we’ll disembark at 12th St./Oakland Station and walk with Obi to Frank Ogawa Plaza, where we’ll pay homage to the Town’s most famous oak tree.  

About Obi Kaufmann

For poet, painter, and naturalist Obi Kaufmann, California is a magic network of living systems connecting ecology and beauty in a grand quilt, holding enough science, mythology, and language for a hundred field atlases to come. Obi Kaufmann regularly travels around the state, presenting his work and vision as keynote addresses to such groups as the Klamath-Siskiyou Wildland Center, Pacific Forest Trust, the Mojave Desert Land Trust, the Mechanics Institute of San Francisco, the Anza Borrego Foundation, the Mono Lake Committee, the University of California at Berkeley Botanical Garden, the University of California at Davis Plant Sciences Department, the University of California Santa Barbara Department of Water Sciences, the Peninsula Open Space Trust, the California Native Plant Society, the Wilderness Society, and the Audubon Society. Obi had a 2022 residency with the National Wildlife Federation as the illustrator for the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. One year later, in 2023, he was the artist in residence for the National Park Service at the Whiskeytown NRA. Obi’s essays and paintings have been published in Dark Mountain Literary Journal, Zyzzyva Literary Journal, Bay Nature Magazine, Western Art & Architecture, Sunset Magazine, Juxtapoz Magazine, and On the Range Magazine. His 2023 essay "The Mind of the Redwood Forest" won an honorable mention as one of the best essays in the country, as awarded by the Norton Books Anthology. Obi regularly posts his work on Instagram as @coyotethunder. He is published by HEYDAY and represented by WILDBOUNDPR. Tune into to his podcast, PLACE AND PURPOSE, with cohost Greg Sarris. 

The call for artists is now closed.

BART is seeking artists to sell their work at BART’s upcoming anime festival, Let’s Glow! The festival will be held at Warm Springs/South Fremont Station on Saturday, September 6, from 4:30pm to 8pm.  

We are looking for 15 to 20 artists of all skills, styles, and mediums to table at this first-of-its-kind celebration of BART, art, and anime. Tabling is free! 

Artists must apply to sell at the event, and BART’s anime team will select the roster of vendors from the applicant pool. While art need not feature transit, strong preference will be given to work that does. We encourage artists to make BART-themed artwork to sell, but we ask that the fan art does not contain the BART logo to distinguish it from official communications. Art must be appropriate for an all-ages audience.  

Some examples of the type of work we’re looking for: 

• A print, postcard, or bookmark depicting a BART station in the artist’s preferred style
• T-shirts, tote bags, keychains featuring a train operator character
• A download code to an album of train departure melodies  

Surprise us! We are looking for originality and creativity.  

Submit your work at https://bart-anime.notion.site/216b53326cb280dd8549e02d7d3d615e  

Deadline: Sunday, August 17, 2025, 11:59pm  

More on Let’s Glow! 

This is a first-of-its-kind celebration of BART, art, and anime that will feature food and boba stands, lantern decoration, live DJ group AniClover, wotagei lessons from SanFlare, itasha decorated cars, and more. We will release additional details soon. This is a free, un-ticketed event. 

Let us know you're coming - RSVP here: https://bartletsglow.eventbrite.com 

Read about the BART Anime Project at bart.gov/anime 

Friday, Aug. 18, 2023 – It was yet another high ridership weekend on Saturday, Aug. 5, and Sunday, Aug. 6, as Outside Lands Music Festival, the Pistahan Parade and Festival, and other exciting events unfurled across the Bay Area. Saturday and Sunday saw 101,100 and 79,300 exits respectively meaning more than 180,000 people rode BART last weekend (that’s roughly the populations of Berkeley, Benicia, and El Cerrito combined).  

Looking for something to do this weekend? Keep reading and visit our BARTable website. We publish a weekly event roundup, BARTable This Weekend, which highlights happenings around the region as well as contests and sweepstakes.  

This weekend, BART will be running extra trains for these big events: the Star Wars Drone Show following the A’s game on Saturday, and the Zach Bryan concert at the Oakland Arena on Monday.  

Fri/Sat/Sun: Athletics vs. Orioles at the Oakland Coliseum (plus a Star Wars Drone Show!) 

The Oakland Athletics face the Baltimore Orioles on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – and each game offers a special themed promotion. For the Star Wars Drone Show on Saturday night, BART will be running extra trains to accommodate the anticipated crowds.  

Here’s the lowdown on this weekend’s games: Friday, Aug. 18 (6:40pm start time) is Jerry Garcia Night, a tribute to the legendary Bay Area musician. Saturday, Aug. 19 (6:07pm start time) is the Star Wars Drone Show (with a special Mark Kotsay Mandalorian Bobblehead on offer). And Sunday, Aug. 20 (1:07pm start time), will see a “t-shirt hoodie” giveaway for early arriving fans, presented by Cal State East Bay. 

It’s also First Responders Weekend at the Coliseum, with special prices, tailgates, jerseys, and more for first responders. (Promo info here.) 

Use our guide to taking BART to the game here. 

Sat/Sun: Take BART to the FOG India Day Parade and Fair in Fremont 

On Saturday, Aug. 19, and Sunday, Aug. 20, the City of Fremont will host the largest India Day parade on the West Coast with more than 130 booths and 50,000 attendees. To get there, take BART to Fremont Station and travel about 0.6 miles to the event site – 39439 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont.  

The fair takes over the parkway on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 6pm, and the parade runs Sunday from 11am to 1pm. Bollywood superstar Mahima Chaudhry will serve as the grand marshal. Keep your eyes out for the BART booth, where BART directors, staff, and officers will be on hand with free swag and information about the system and our programs. More info here. 

Mon: Singer-Songwriter Zach Bryan at the Oakland Arena on Monday  

Singer-songwriter Zach Bryan touches down in Oakland this Monday, Aug. 21, for a stop on his Burn, Burn, Burn tour at the Oakland Arena (take BART to Coliseum Station) with Trampled by Turtles and Levi Turner. The show starts at 8pm and doors open at 6:30pm.  

BART will be running extra trains Monday night to take concertgoers home. 

Explore BARTable Pools, Coves, and Lagoons 

Did you know you can take BART to swim? Cool off this weekend by visiting a BARTable swimming hole. We rounded them up (with directions) in this article.  

Win Tickets to the “Hippest Trip – The Soul Train Musical” World Premiere  

Win two tickets for you and your guest to the world premiere of "Hippest Trip -The Soul Train Musical" at A.C.T.'s Toni Rembe Theater in San Francisco on Saturday, Sept. 2 at 8pm. Five lucky winners will take the prize! Learn more about the Broadway-bound musical and enter the sweepstakes by clicking here.  

Weekend Read: The Couple Who Hosted a BART Wedding at Fairyland 

On May 27, 2023, Armin Samii and Marylee Williams married in a BART-themed wedding at Oakland’s Fairyland.  

The couple, who met on BART, said, “We wanted a venue that was easily accessible to our guests, and accessibility to us looks like BART. BART was where we had our first taste of not being bound by a car.”   

Read more about the wedding and see the colorful photos on bart.gov/news.  

Happy Riding this Weekend! 

We hope you enjoy your weekend adventures aboard our trains.    
 
Stay in touch by signing up for the BARTable This Week newsletter on the BARTable website – your one-stop shop for all things accessible by BART. You can also keep up with BARTable on Facebook and  Instagram. 

BART ridership continues to grow, with notable gains on weekends as Saturday ridership this September was nearly 20% higher compared to the previous year. More than 5 million trips were taken on BART in September, exceeding expected trips by 5%. Overall, ridership saw a nearly 10% increase over the same month last year.  

The increase in ridership on the weekends, especially Saturdays, demonstrates that people are taking BART for purposes beyond getting to the office. For example, the Japan v. Mexico soccer match on Saturday, September 6, drew 23,000 trips to Coliseum Station, the third-highest ridership day for the station since the pandemic. In fact, ridership for the match was nearly a third higher than the average Saturday ridership for A’s games in 2019.  

Ridership growth is only part of the solution to BART’s significant financial crisis. To close BART’s $375 million deficit with only fare revenue, current ridership levels would need to more than double; BART’s latest budget forecast estimates a 4% ridership increase in 2026. 

BART’s slow and steady ridership recovery correlates with work from home rates in the region. While individual riders are returning to BART, they’re taking fewer trips, likely due to remote and hybrid work schedules. 

September ridership highlights at a glance:  

• September ridership was 10% higher compared to previous year (5,047,000 total trips).
• Saturdays in September of this year grew 20% over a year ago.
• Highest ridership day: Wednesday, September 10 (220,073).
• BayPass, the region’s all-in-one transit pass, ridership more than doubled over last September, driven primarily by UC Berkeley students voting to expand the program to the entire study body of ~45,000. The BayPass referendum was approved with 90% "yes" votes. Ridership growth at Downtown Berkeley Station has outpaced systemwide growth since the start of the Fall 2025 semester.  
• Tap and Ride usage accounted for approx. 8% of total trips on weekdays and 12% on weekends. SFO Station accounts for nearly 30% of all Tap and Ride trips. Tap and Ride gives riders the ability to pay adult fares at BART fare gates using physical contactless credit or debit cards or mobile payment methods, such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.  
• Usage of Clipper START, the region’s low-income discount fare program, is at an all-time high and accounted for 3.4% of total trips in September. BART has more Clipper START rides than any other agency. 

Additional ridership information is publicly available and posted monthly at bart.gov/about/reports/ridership. 

Sound Tracks, BART’s free summer concert series, returns for three shows in August and September.  The outdoor series, presented by the BART Art Program, is part of BART’s rider engagement strategy to activate stations, show appreciation for riders and neighbors, and support local artists – all for the love of music. 

Performances will be held in the unpaid areas of stations, and attendees are encouraged to take BART. Dance bands have been so successful at past events that for this series, we’re bringing out musicians that know how to get a crowd on their feet. 

Said Jennifer Easton, BART Art Program Manager: “The BART Art Program centers supporting local artists and delivering arts and cultural programming to enhance rider and community experience. Sound Tracks encourages riders to take a minute to celebrate with station neighbors, support local businesses, and enables BART to show our appreciation for all the people who ride the system and to those that make the station areas vibrant.”  

Up next on the schedule:

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Wednesday, Sept. 4, 5 pm to 630pm, Balboa Park: Kiazi Malonga (Congolese drummer performing with full percussion band) 

Previously:

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Wednesday, August 21, 5pm to 630pm, El Cerrito del Norte Station: Patron Latin Rhythms (Latin jazz, Latin rock, Mambo). Special reading by winners of the BART Lines Teen Poetry Contest.  

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Wednesday, Aug. 28, 5pm to 630pm, Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Centre: Chris Trinidad y Con Todo featuring Mestiza (Cuban Timba, Puerto Rican Bomba, and Afro-Caribbean genres mixed with Latin jazz, soul, and R&B)  

It's the most BARTable time of the year! 

Celebrate our third year of the immensely popular BART holiday sweater at SweaterFest '23! Wear your BART holiday sweater from any year and join BART staff and fellow riders for a group photo at Rockridge Station on Sunday, December 10 from 2-3:30pm.

For riders who did not pre-order the 2023 BART holiday staff but would like to purchase one, staff will be selling the 2023 holiday sweater at SweaterFest '23. We will have contests, prizes, other BART merch for sale, music, and more to make it a true holiday event! Winners of our SweaterFest '23 Raffle can win exclusive BART prizes. (Raffle contestants must be present to win prizes)

Extra 2023 BART holiday sweaters will go on sale at railgoods.com after Thanksgiving. 

For pre-orders who selected the pick-up option, your holiday sweater is available for pick-up at BART HQ, 2150 Webster Street in Oakland (walkable distance from 19th St Oakland Station) on weekdays from November 22 until December 7. The hours for pick-up are between 8:30am until 4pm. November 23 and November 24 will not be open due to Thanksgiving. 

Starting December 11, pre-order pick-ups will be moved to the Customer Services Center at Lake Merritt Station on the concourse level.

Don’t be left out in the cold…grab your sweater and join us for a family-friendly, holiday-celebrating SweaterFest ’23!

We plan to introduce our new stamp rally passport at SweaterFest. If you attend the Meet the Anime Mascots event at Powell Street, be sure to bring your stamp from that event and we will add it to our passport.